Mid- to Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Patients Treated With the Everolimus-Eluting Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold

Mid- to Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Patients Treated With the Everolimus-Eluting Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold

JACC: CARDIOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS VOL. 9, NO. 16, 2016 ª 2016 BY THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY FOUNDATION PUBLISHED BY ELSEVIER ISSN 1936-879...

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JACC: CARDIOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS

VOL. 9, NO. 16, 2016

ª 2016 BY THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY FOUNDATION PUBLISHED BY ELSEVIER

ISSN 1936-8798/$36.00 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcin.2016.04.035

Mid- to Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Patients Treated With the Everolimus-Eluting Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold The BVS Expand Registry Cordula M. Felix, MD, Jiang Ming Fam, MD, Roberto Diletti, MD, PHD, Yuki Ishibashi, MD, PHD, Antonios Karanasos, MD, PHD, Bert R.C. Everaert, MD, PHD, Nicolas M.D.A. van Mieghem, MD, PHD, Joost Daemen, MD, PHD, Peter P.T. de Jaegere, MD, PHD, Felix Zijlstra, MD, PHD, Evelyn S. Regar, MD, PHD, Yoshinobu Onuma, MD, PHD, Robert-Jan M. van Geuns, MD, PHD

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES This study sought to report on clinical outcomes beyond 1 year of the BVS Expand registry. BACKGROUND Multiple studies have proven feasibility and safety of the Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California). However, data on medium- to long-term outcomes are limited and available only for simpler lesions. METHODS This is an investigator-initiated, prospective, single-center, single-arm study evaluating performance of the BVS in a lesion subset representative of daily clinical practice, including calcified lesions, total occlusions, long lesions, and small vessels. Inclusion criteria were patients presenting with non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, stable/unstable angina, or silent ischemia caused by a de novo stenotic lesion in a native previously untreated coronary artery. Procedural and medium- to long-term clinical outcomes were assessed. Primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events, defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization. RESULTS From September 2012 to January 2015, 249 patients with 335 lesions were enrolled. Mean number of scaffolds per patient was 1.79  1.15. Invasive imaging was used in 39%. In 38.1% there were American College of Cardiology/ American Heart Association classification type B2/C lesions. Mean lesion length was 22.16  13.79 mm. Post-procedural acute lumen gain was 1.39  0.59 mm. Median follow-up period was 622 (interquartile range: 376 to 734) days. Using Kaplan-Meier methods, the MACE rate at 18 months was 6.8%. Rates of cardiac mortality, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization at 18 months were 1.8%, 5.2%, and 4.0%, respectively. Definite scaffold thrombosis rate was 1.9%. CONCLUSIONS In our study, BVS implantation in a complex patient and lesion subset was associated with an acceptable rate of adverse events in the longer term, whereas no cases of early thrombosis were observed. (J Am Coll Cardiol Intv 2016;9:1652–63) © 2016 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

From the Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. This study was supported by an unrestricted grant from Abbott Vascular. Dr. Karanasos has received research support from St. Jude Medical. Dr. van Mieghem has served as on the Speakers Bureau for and has received speakers fees from Abbott Vascular. Dr. Daemen has received institutional research support from Boston Scientific, St. Jude Medical, Medtronic, and Recor Medical. Dr. Onuma has served as a member of the advisory board for and has received speakers fees from Abbott Vascular. Dr. van Geuns has received speakers fees from Abbott Vascular. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose. Manuscript received September 22, 2015; revised manuscript received March 30, 2016, accepted April 21, 2016.

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D

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Long-Term Outcomes of the BVS Expand Registry

rug-eluting stents (DES) currently form the

outcomes (8–10). Thus, the medium- to long-

ABBREVIATIONS

mainstay of coronary devices used in

term outcomes beyond 1 year after BVS im-

AND ACRONYMS

percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI)

plantation in such complex real-world lesions

in many parts of the world. Despite advantages in clinical outcomes such as reduction in target lesion

remain elusive. In

the

current

BVS = bioresorbable vascular scaffold(s)

study,

we

report

on

DES = drug-eluting stent(s)

revascularization (TLR) rates, shortcomings related

extended follow-up beyond 1 year of the BVS

to the use of DES still exist such as delayed arterial

Expand Registry. This is a single-center reg-

healing, late scaffold thrombosis, and hypersensitiv-

istry initiated in September 2012 that in-

ity reactions to the polymer, with observations of

vestigates the clinical outcomes after BVS

event

ongoing very late stent failure beyond 1 year (1,2).

implantation in a more complex real-world

MI = myocardial infarction

population.

MLD = minimal lumen diameter

SEE PAGE 1664

IVUS = intravascular ultrasound

MACE = major adverse cardiac

NSTEMI = non-ST-segment

In addition, from a physiological point of view, a vessel that is indefinitely caged in a metal stent may not be desirable with both short- and long-term implications and potentially adverse consequences such as impaired endothelial function, the reduced potential for vessel remodeling, interference with the normal arterial healing process, and the risk of occlusion of covered side branches by neointima hyperplasia. Furthermore, interference with noninvasive imaging (cardiac computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) during patient follow-up and possible impairment of future treatment options (rePCI or coronary artery bypass surgery) are drawbacks of metallic stents (3). To overcome these issues, bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) were developed. The BVS most studied is the Absorb BVS (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California). The BVS provides transient vessel support and gradually elutes the antiproliferative drug everolimus. After degradation of the polymer (after approximately 3 years) no foreign material remains and the risk for developing very late scaffold thrombosis (ST) is potentially reduced. Intravascular imaging observations 5 years after BVS implantation in a simple patient and lesion subset have demonstrated late luminal enlargement due to plaque reduction, a persistent restoration of vasomotion and a fully completed bioresorption process (4,5), and a low major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate (3.4%) (6). This is consistent in randomized controlled trials (ABSORB II and ABSORB Japan), which showed comparable clinical event rates in BVS compared with best in class with metallic DES

elevation myocardial infarction

METHODS

OCT = optical coherence tomography

POPULATION. This

is

an

investigator-

initiated, prospective, single-center, singlearm study performed in an experienced,

QCA = quantitative coronary angiography

RVD = reference vessel

tertiary PCI center. Patients presenting with

diameter

non–ST-segment

STEMI = ST-segment elevation

infarction

elevation

(NSTEMI),

myocardial

stable

or

unstable

angina, or silent ischemia caused by a de

myocardial infarction

ST = scaffold thrombosis

novo stenotic lesion in a native previously

TLR = target lesion

untreated coronary artery with intention to

revascularization

treat with a BVS were included. Angiographic inclusion criteria included lesions with a proximal and distal maximal lumen diameter within the upper limit of 3.8 mm and the lower limit of 2.0 mm by online quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). Complex lesions such as bifurcation, calcified (as assessed by angiography), long, and thrombotic lesions were not excluded. Exclusion criteria were patients with a history of coronary bypass grafting, presentation with cardiogenic shock, bifurcation lesions requiring kissing

balloon

post-dilation,

ST-segment

elevation

myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, allergy or contraindications to antiplatelet therapy, fertile female patients not taking adequate contraceptives or currently breastfeeding, and patients with expected survival of <1 year. As per hospital policy, patients with a previously implanted metal DES in the intended target vessel were also excluded. Also, although old age was not an exclusion criterion, BVS were in general reserved for younger patients, and left to operator’s interpretation of biological age.

(Xience V, Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California)

ETHICS. This is an observational study, performed

(7,8). However, as these studies included a selected

according to the privacy policy of the Erasmus Med-

group of patients, extrapolation to a more complex

ical Center, and to the Erasmus Medical Center

population is limited. Yet, the registry-level clinical

regulations for the appropriate use of data in patient-

data on the outcomes after BVS implantation in more

oriented research, which are on the basis of interna-

complex patient and lesion subsets have not been

tional regulations, including the Declaration of

well documented that such data are available from

Helsinki. Approval of the ethical board of the Erasmus

registries with a relatively short follow-up of 6 to 12

Medical Center was obtained. All patients undergoing

months, which have shown variable early clinical

clinical follow-up provided written informed consent

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Long-Term Outcomes of the BVS Expand Registry

for the PCI and to be contacted regularly during the

ANGIOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS. QCA was performed by 3

follow-up period of the study.

independent

PROCEDURE. PCI was performed according to cur-

rent clinical practice standards. The radial or femoral routes were the principal routes of vascular access and 6- or 7-F catheters were used depending on the discretion of the operator. Pre- and post-dilation were recommended with a balloon shorter than the planned study device length and with a noncompliant balloon without overexpanding the scaffold beyond its limits of expansion (0.5 mm > nominal diameter), respectively. Intravascular imaging with the use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used for pre-procedural sizing

investigators.

Coronary

angiograms

were analyzed with the CAAS 5.10 QCA software (Pie Medical BV, Maastricht, the Netherlands). The QCA measurements provided reference vessel diameter (RVD), percentage diameter stenosis, minimal lumen diameter (MLD), and maximal lumen diameter. Acute gain was defined as post-procedural MLD minus preprocedural MLD (in an occluded vessel MLD value was zero by default). For the purpose of this study we defined underexpansion as a ratio of post-procedural MLD to the nominal device diameter of <0.7. The ratio of pre-procedural RVD to the nominal device diameter was used to assess pre-procedural sizing.

and optimization of stent deployment on the discre-

FOLLOW-UP. Clinical demographic data of all pa-

tion of the operator. All patients were treated with

tients were obtained from municipal civil registries.

unfractionated heparin (at a dose of 70 to 100 UI/kg).

Follow-up information specific for hospitalization

Patients with stable angina were preloaded with

and cardiovascular events was obtained through

300 mg of aspirin and 600 mg of clopidogrel. Patients

questionnaires.

presenting with acute coronary syndrome were pre-

discharge letters from other hospitals were requested.

loaded with 300 mg of aspirin and 60 mg of prasugrel

Events were adjudicated by an independent clinical

If

needed,

medical

records

or

or 180 mg of ticagrelor. T A B L E 1 Patient Characteristics

F I G U R E 1 Flowchart of the Study

ITT Population (n ¼ 249)

Off-Registry Population (n ¼ 236)

73.5

75.6

Sex Men Women

p Value

0.57 26.5

24.4

61.3  10.2

55.4  10.6

Smoking

55.0

59.0

0.24

Hypertension

59.4

41.9

<0.001

Dyslipidemia

51.0

29.9

<0.001

Diabetes mellitus

18.5

13.2

0.14

Family history of CAD

44.6

37.6

0.23

Prior MI

17.7

6.0

<0.001

Prior PCI

9.2

4.7

0.05

Prior CABG

0.0

2.6

0.01

45.6

28.2

0.07

Stable angina

40.6

9.8

Unstable angina

16.1

2.1

0.0

71.4

43.0

16.7

0.4

0.0

Mean age, yrs

Presenting with multiple vessel disease

<0.001

Indication for PCI

STEMI NSTEMI Silent ischemia

<0.001

<0.001

Peripheral artery disease

8.8

1.7

COPD

7.2

3.9

0.10

Heart failure

4.8

0.9

0.01

Renal insufficiency

6.4

2.1

0.02

CVA/TIA

9.6

4.3

0.03

Values are % or mean  SD.

BRS ¼ bioresorbable scaffold(s); BVS ¼ bioresorbable vascular scaffold(s); CABG ¼ coronary artery bypass grafting; PCI ¼ percutaneous coronary intervention; STEMI ¼ ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

CAD ¼ coronary artery disease; COPD ¼ chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; CVA ¼ cerebrovascular accident; ITT ¼ intention to treat; MI ¼ myocardial infarction; NSTEMI ¼ non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; PCI ¼ percutaneous coronary intervention; STEMI ¼ ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; TIA ¼ transient ischemic attack.

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Long-Term Outcomes of the BVS Expand Registry

T A B L E 3 Procedural Characteristics (N ¼ 249, 335 Lesions)

T A B L E 2 Lesion Characteristics

Target vessel

Treated lesion per procedure

1.35  0.62

LAD

50.0

Aspiration thrombectomy

LCX

23.7

Rotablation

4.2 3.1

RCA

26.0

Scoring balloon

2.7

Ramus intermedius

0.3

SVG

0.0

IVUS

14.4

16.2/45.8/24.3/13.8

OCT

24.6

Lesion AHA A/B1/B2/C Bifurcation

Intracoronary imaging

21.3

Pre-dilation

Medina 1,1,1

15.3

Max pre-dilation diameter, mm

Medina 1,1,0

27.8

Pre-dilation balloon: artery ratio

1.05  0.23

Medina 1,0,1

4.2

Maximum pre-dilation inflation pressure, atm

12.80  5.91

Medina 0,1,1

12.5

Buddy wire

Medina 1,0,0

11.1

Mean number of scaffolds/lesion

1.34  0.69

Medina 0,1,0

22.2

Mean number of scaffolds/patient

1.79  1.15

Medina 0,0,1

6.9

Moderate/severe calcification (Chronic) total occlusion

8.1

Number of scaffolds

445

42.2

1

72.6

4.2

2

20.3

3

4.5

TIMI Pre-procedure TIMI 0

89.8 2.61  0.44

4

2.5 3.08  0.35

8.4

Scaffold diameter, mm

TIMI 1

1.8

Scaffold length implanted, mm

TIMI 2

13.8

TIMI 3

75.4

Overlapping scaffold diameter 3.5 mm–3.5 mm

24

Overlapping scaffold diameter 3.5 mm–3.0 mm

23

TIMI 0

0.0

Overlapping scaffold diameter 3.5 mm–2.5 mm

7

TIMI 1

0.3

Overlapping scaffold diameter 3.0 mm–3.0 mm

21 29

Post-procedure

TIMI 2

3.0

Overlapping scaffold diameter 3.0 mm–2.5 mm

TIMI 3

96.4

Overlapping scaffold diameter 2.5 mm–2.5 mm

QCA analysis

Maximum scaffold implantation pressure, atm

Pre-procedure Lesion length, mm

28.31  17.06

Lesions with overlapping scaffolds

25.4

11 15.08  1.82

Post-dilation 22.10  13.90

Post-dilation balloon mean scaffold diameter ratio

53.3 1.08  0.11

RVD, mm

2.42  0.74

Max post-dilation balloon, mm

3.20  0.46

MLD, mm

0.91  0.45

Maximum post-dilation inflation pressure, atm

15.50  3.42

Diameter stenosis, %

59.13  20.72

Post-procedure RVD, mm MLD, mm Diameter stenosis, % Acute lumen gain, mm

Procedural complications Dissection

5.1

2.77  0.46

Slow flow/no reflow

2.7

2.30  0.42

Clinical device success

97.3

Clinical procedural success

96.8

16.90  9.04 1.39  0.59

Values are mean  SD or %. Values are % or mean  SD. AHA ¼ American Heart Association; LAD ¼ left anterior descending artery; LCX ¼ left coronary artery; MLD ¼ minimal lumen diameter; QCA ¼ quantitative coronary angiography; RCA ¼ right coronary artery; RVD ¼ reference vessel diameter; SVG ¼ saphenous vein graft; TIMI ¼ Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction.

IVUS ¼ intravascular ultrasound; OCT ¼ optical coherence tomography.

percutaneous intervention or surgical bypass of any segment of the target vessel. Non–target vessel revascularization was described as any revasculariza-

events committee. All information concerning baseline characteristics and follow-up was gathered in a clinical data management system.

tion in a vessel other than the target lesion. ST and MI were classified according to the Academic Research Consortium (11). Clinical device success (lesion basis) was defined as successful delivery and deployment of

DEFINITIONS. The primary endpoint was MACE,

all intended scaffolds at the target lesion and suc-

defined as the composite endpoint of cardiac death,

cessful withdrawal of the delivery system with

myocardial infarction (MI) and TLR. Deaths were

attainment of final in-scaffold residual stenosis

considered cardiac unless a noncardiac cause was

of <30% as evaluated by QCA. When bailout device was

definitely identified. TLR was described as any

used, the success or failure of the bailout device de-

repeated revascularization of the target lesion. Target

livery and deployment is not one of the criteria for

vessel revascularization was defined as any repeat

device success. Clinical procedure success (patient

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Long-Term Outcomes of the BVS Expand Registry

chi-square test (or Fisher exact test) were used for

T A B L E 4 Kaplan-Meier Estimates at 1 Year for Clinical

comparison of means and percentages. The cumula-

Event Rate

tive incidence of adverse events was estimated ITT (n ¼ 249)

PT (n ¼ 244)

MACE

5.5

5.1

to follow-up were considered at risk until the date of

All-cause death

1.3

1.3

last contact, at which point they were censored.

Cardiac death

1.3

1.3

All statistical tests were 2-sided and a p value <0.05

Noncardiac death

0.0

0.0

was considered statistically significant. To investigate

3.8

3.4

possible predictors for clinical outcomes MACE and

2.8

2.5

ST, univariate analysis using a Cox regression model

Target lesion revascularization

3.8

3.4

Target vessel revascularization

3.8

3.4

All myocardial infarction Target vessel

Non–target vessel revascularization

3.9

3.7

Total scaffold thrombosis

2.1

2.1

Definite scaffold thrombosis

1.3

1.3

Acute

0.0

0.0

Subacute

0.0

0.0

Late

according to the Kaplan-Meier method. Patients lost

was used investigating variables that are frequently present. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, version 21 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois).

RESULTS

1.3

1.3

0.4

0.4

Acute

0.0

0.0

Subacute

0.0

0.0

Late

0.4

0.4

for BVS either to their biological age related to

0.4

0.4

comorbidities, indication for stent >3.5 mm or smaller

Acute

0.0

0.0

than <2.5 mm, previous coronary bypass grafting,

Subacute

0.0

0.0

previous PCI with metal DES in the target vessel, or

Late

0.4

0.4

STEMI as indication for PCI shortly after the commer-

Bleeding (GUSTO)*

2.1

2.2

cial introduction of BVS in Europe. These patients were

CVA/TIA

0.9

0.9

in general older (64.5  11.6 years of age) and pre-

Probable scaffold thrombosis

Possible scaffold thrombosis

Values are %. *Severe: either intracranial hemorrhage or bleeding that causes hemodynamic compromise and requires intervention. Moderate: Bleeding that requires blood transfusion but does not result in hemodynamic compromise. Mild: Bleeding that does not meet criteria for either severe or mild bleeding. GUSTO ¼ Global Use of Strategies to Open Occluded Coronary Arteries; PT ¼ per treatment; other abbreviations as in Table 1.

From September 2012 up to January 2015, 3,373 patients were treated with PCI in our center. The majority of patients were considered not suitable

sented with more risk factors compared to the BVS population

(previous

coronary

bypass

grafting

9.5%, previous PCI 31.3%, previous MI 25.6%) and presented more frequently with multivessel disease (57.8%). Finally, 485 patients were treated with 1 or more BVS in the registry period. Most excluded

basis) was described as achievement of final in-

patients (n ¼ 169) presented with STEMI and

scaffold residual stenosis of <30% by QCA with suc-

entered a separate registry starting later, 5 had a

cessful delivery and deployment of all intended scaf-

previous coronary bypass grafting, 1 needed kissing

folds at the target lesion and successful withdrawal of

balloon post-dilation for bifurcation, 2 had a pre-

the delivery system for all target lesions without major

vious implanted metal DES in the target vessel as

periprocedural complications or in-hospital MACE

formal exclusion criteria for this analysis, and 58

(maximum of 7 days). In dual target lesion setting, both

did not return their informed consent because they

lesions must meet clinical procedure success criteria to

declined

have a patient level procedure success.

participated in another trial investigating BVS.

to

participate,

emigrated

abroad,

or

The intention-to-treat group includes all the pa-

A total of 249 signed the informed consent for

tients regardless of whether or not the scaffold was

follow-up and were eligible on the basis of protocol

successfully implanted. The per-treatment group

inclusion and exclusion criteria. In 5 patients delivery

consists of all patients in whom the BVS was suc-

failure occurred (intention-to-treat group). The per-

cessfully implanted. Only events in the per-treatment

treatment group thus consisted of 244 patients. The

population were analyzed.

flow chart of the registry is given in Figure 1.

The off-registry population consisted of patients that were excluded in this study, mainly STEMI patients.

BASELINE CHARACTERISTICS. Baseline characteris-

tics of all BVS treated patients are presented in Table 1. Mean age was 61.3  10.2 years, 73.5% were

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS. Categorical variables are

male, 18.5% were diabetic, and 59.1% presented with

reported as counts and percentages, continuous

an acute coronary syndrome (NSTEMI or unstable

variables as mean  SD. Student’s t test and the

angina; STEMI patients were excluded). Multivessel

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disease was present in 45.6%. The off-registry patients were younger, with fewer comorbidities, and

Long-Term Outcomes of the BVS Expand Registry

F I G U R E 2 Kaplan-Meier Curves for Adverse Events at 18 Months

presented more frequently with STEMI. Lesion characteristics are presented in Table 2. The left anterior descending coronary artery was most commonly treated (50.0% of lesions). Moderate or severe calcification (as assessed by angiography) was present in 42.2% and a chronic total occlusion in 4.2% of the lesions. Bifurcation lesions (involving lesions within 3 mm of the bifurcation and with side branches $2 mm by visual estimation in diameter, treated with implantation of at least 1 BVS) were present in 21.3% with significant side branch involvement (true bifurcations: Medina 1,1,1; 1,0,1; and 0,1,1 lesions) in 32% of these. Overall, 38.1% of lesions were American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association type B2 or C. Mean lesion length was 22.16  13.79 mm. Pre-procedural QCA showed a RVD of 2.42  0.74 mm, a MLD of 0.91  0.45 mm, and a percentage diameter stenosis of 59.12  20.72%. PROCEDURAL DETAILS. Table 3 shows the proce-

dural characteristics. Pre-dilation was performed in 89.9% (pre-dilation balloon to artery ratio of 1.05  0.23). Post-dilation was performed in 53.3% with a balloon to scaffold ratio of 1.08  0.11. Advanced lesion preparation using rotational artherectomy and scoring balloon was done in 3.1% and 2.7%. Preprocedural evaluation and device optimization using invasive imaging with IVUS and OCT was done in 14.4% and 24.6% of the procedures, respectively. A total of 445 BVS were implanted with a mean number of 1.34  0.69 scaffolds per lesion and a mean number of 1.79  1.15 scaffolds per patient. For the bifurcation lesions, the provisional side branch treatment was standard in this study. Side branch wiring before main vessel stenting was employed in 37.5%. Side branch dilation after main vessel stent was performed for 31% and bailout stenting only in 1 BVS. Side branch fenestration was performed in 25%. Side branch dilation was followed by mini-kissing post-dilation of just sequential ballooning with proximal optimalization. Post-procedural QCA characteristics were: RVD 2.77  0.46 mm, MLD 2.30  0.42 mm, and percentage diameter stenosis 16.90  9.04. Acute lumen gain was 1.39  0.59 mm. Clinical device success was 97.3% and clinical procedural success was 96.8%. In 5 patients delivery failure of the BVS occurred because the scaffold could not pass the lesion, for example due to severe calcification or tortuosity. After multiple attempts, metal DES were placed in these cases.

Cumulative rates of (A) major adverse cardiac event, (B) target lesion revascularization,

CLINICAL OUTCOMES. Survival data was available in

estimation.

100% with a median follow-up period of 622 days

and (C) definite/probable scaffold thrombosis up to 18 months using Kaplan-Meier

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Long-Term Outcomes of the BVS Expand Registry

T A B L E 5 Overview Cases ST

Case #

1

Time (days)

Type ST

47

Def

Age (yrs)

69

Presentation at Baseline

NSTEMI

Vessel

BVS, mm

Pre-Dil

Post-Dil

Baseline Imaging

Patient-Related Factor

DAPT

LAD

3.0  28, 3.5  18, 3.5  18

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes (PCI for ACS)

Yes

Possible Mechanism ST

Treatment During Event

Residual thrombus, total Thrombectomy, occlusion, long lesion, eptifibatide, Xience calcification, (3.5  38 mm) bifurcation

2

66

Poss

76

SAP

LAD

3.0  18

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes (KD, SM)

Yes

Bifurcation, calcification

None, sudden death

3

112

Def

58

SAP

LAD

3.5  28

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes (SM, YLVF)

Yes

NIH, calcification, underexpansion, long lesion, small vessel

Thrombectomy, Promus (3.5  32 mm), eptifibatide

4

142

Prob

65

NSTEMI

LAD

3.0  18

Yes

Yes

No

Yes (PCI for ACS, SM)

Yes

Geographical miss, edge restenosis, trifurcated lesion

Thrombectomy, Promus (3.5  38 mm)

5

161

Def

70

Decreased LVF

LAD

2.5  18 3.0  18

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes (KD, SM, YLVF)

No

Interruption anticoagulants due to surgery, calcification, long lesion, small vessel

POBA, eptifibatide

ACS ¼ acute coronary syndrome; BVS ¼ bioresorbable vascular scaffold; DAPT ¼ dual antiplatelet therapy; Def ¼ definite; DM ¼ diabetes mellitus; KD ¼ kidney disease; LAD ¼ left anterior descending; LVF ¼ left ventricular function; NIH ¼ neointima hyperplasia; PCI ¼ percutaneous coronary intervention; POBA ¼ plain old balloon angioplasty; Poss ¼ possible; Post-dil ¼ post-Dilation; Pre-Dil ¼ pre-dilation; Prob ¼ probable; SAP ¼ stable angina pectoris; SM ¼ smoking; ST ¼ scaffold thrombosis.

F I G U R E 3 Rate of MACE and Definite/Probable ST, Divided by Subgroups

Bar graphs demonstrating the rate of major cardiac adverse event (MACE) rate, its components, and scaffold thrombosis in subgroups of population (e.g., calcification, bifurcation, small vessel). MI ¼ myocardial infarction; NS ¼ non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; ST ¼ scaffold thrombosis; TLR ¼ target lesion revascularization; UA ¼ unstable angina.

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Long-Term Outcomes of the BVS Expand Registry

T A B L E 6 Univariate Analysis of MACE

F I G U R E 4 Relation of BVS Underexpansion and MACE

Hazard Ratio (95% Confidence Interval)

p Value

Male

4.07 (0.53–31.51)

0.18

>2 scaffolds/lesion

2.41 (0.66–8.84)

0.19

Underexpansion

2.25 (0.73–6.98)

0.16

>65 yrs of age

2.11 (0.67–6.64)

0.20

Bifurcation lesion

1.97 (0.63–6.21)

0.25

Long lesion (>32 mm)

1.73 (0.52–5.76)

0.37

Long lesion (>20 mm)

1.67 (0.53–5.27)

0.38

Calcified lesion

1.64 (0.52–5.17)

0.39

Overlap

1.59 (0.49–5.17)

0.44

RVD #2.5 mm

1.56 (0.49–4.91)

0.45 0.54

Diabetes mellitus

1.51 (0.41–5.57)

Presentation with ACS

0.71 (0.23–2.20)

0.55

Imaging at baseline

0.55 (0.15–2.03)

0.37

Underexpansion was defined as PostMLD/nominal device diameter <0.7. ACS ¼ acute coronary syndrome; MACE ¼ major adverse cardiac events; MLD ¼ minimal lumen diameter; RVD ¼ reference vessel diameter.

(interquartile range: 376 to 734 days). Two patients withdrew their informed consent within a few weeks after the index procedure. One-year clinical outcomes are reported in Table 4. Event rates are described as Kaplan-Meier estimates. Figures 2A to 2C give an impression of the event rates

BVS ¼ bioresorbable vascular scaffold; MACE ¼ major adverse cardiac events; MLD ¼ minimal lumen diameter; RVD ¼ reference vessel diameter.

during late follow-up. At 18 months, there were 4 fatalities (all cardiac death) with a Kaplan-Meier es-

Details of ST cases are summarized in Table 5.

timate of 1.8%. In the per-treatment group, MACE

Narratives of each case are presented in the electronic

rate at 18 months was 6.8%, mainly driven by the

supplement.

rate of MI (5.2%). There were 2 cases of periproce-

In Figure 3 we present MACE, its components, and

dural MI. TLR at 18 months was performed in 4.0%

definite/probable ST rates in various subgroups.

and target vessel revascularization in 4.0%. Rate of

There was no increased rate of both MACE and defi-

non–target vessel revascularization was 5.4%. Rate

nite/probable ST in patients presenting with acute

of overall ST at 18 months was 2.7%, with a definite

coronary syndrome (NSTEMI and unstable angina)

ST rate of 1.9%.

compared to the overall population. Univariate analysis was performed to identify predictors for the occurrence of MACE and definite/

T A B L E 7 Univariate Analysis of Probable/Definite

probable ST (Tables 6 and 7). Due to lack of power,

Scaffold Thrombosis Hazard Ratio (95% Confidence Interval)

none

of

the

factors

was

significant.

However,

p Value

regarding MACE, the following characteristics tended

>65 yrs of age

4.49 (0.47–43.15)

0.19

to be associated with $2 times increased risk of

Long lesion (>20 mm)

3.55 (0.37–34.13)

0.27

MACE: male (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.079; p ¼ 0.18), more

Calcified lesion

3.55 (0.37–34.13)

0.27

than 2 scaffolds/lesion (HR: 2.41; p ¼ 0.19), under-

Long lesion (>32 mm)

3.42 (0.48–24.26)

0.22

RVD #2.5 mm

3.26 (0.34–31.34)

0.31

expansion (HR: 2.25; p ¼ 0.16), and >65 years of age

Bifurcation lesion

2.72 (0.38–19.31)

0.32

Overlap

2.20 (0.30–15.92)

0.44

Underexpansion

2.19 (0.31–15.53)

0.43

with $3 times increased risk of ST: >65 years of age

>2 scaffolds/lesion

1.74 (0.21–14.70)

0.61

(HR: 4.49; p ¼ 0.19), long lesions (HR: 3.55; p ¼ 0.27

Diabetes mellitus

1.52 (0.16–14.64)

0.72

for lesions of 20 mm; HR: 3.42; p ¼ 0.22 for lesions of

Presentation with ACS

0.70 (0.10–4.96)

Underexpansion was defined as PostMLD/nominal device diameter <0.7. Abbreviations as in Table 6.

0.72

(HR: 2.11; p ¼ 0.20) (Table 6). Regarding ST, the following characteristics tended to be associated

32 mm), calcified lesion (HR: 3.55; p ¼ 0.27), and RVD # 2.5 mm (HR: 3.26; p ¼ 0.31). Concerning intravascular imaging at baseline, patients who did not undergo baseline imaging had a

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Sites Period, month/year ACS Single-vessel PCI Lesions/patient Lesion length

AMC

Milan

GHOST-EU

Polish National Registry

BVS EXPAND

249

ABSORB A

ABSORB B

ABSORB II

30

101

355

512

183

800

135

92

1189

100

591

4

9

46

56

6

95

1

2

10

2

30

1

03/06-07/06

03/09-11/09

11/11-06/13

1/10-12/12

4/12-3/13

1/13-3/14

8/12-8/13

5/12-8/13

11/11-1/14

12/10-10/13

10/12-11/13

9/12-01/15

27%



20%

0%

21.3%

38%

48.8%

10.9%

47.4%

44%

52%

59.1%

100%

99%



93%



90.7%

81.1%





85%



76.7%

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.2

1.2

1.5

1.2

1.5



1.4

8.2 mm

9.7 mm

21.1 mm

11.9 mm

15 mm

18.3 mm



36.5 mm

19.4 mm

20.9 mm



22.1 mm





13%

15%

15.7%

20.4%

11.3%

20.4%







45.8%

B2

40%

53.5%

44.0%

41%

43.4%

23.1%

42.1%

83.9%

23.6%

19%



24.3%

C

0.0%

5.9%

2.0%

2%

21.2%

23.6%

25.2%

27.6%

37%



13.8%







25.0%



28.2%

15.8%



39.0%

Calcification

Baseline imaging

100% (IVUS documentary)

100% (IVUS, documentary)

100% (IVUS documentary)

100%

99.0%

98.6%



98.9%

96.0%



99.7%

98.8%

100%

97.3%

3.3% at 1 yr

3.6% at 1 yr

1% at 1 yr

1.8% at 1 yr

2.8% at 1 yr



5.0% at 6 months

3.3% at 6 months

2.5% at 6 months

0% at 30 days



3.1% at 1 yr

TVR





2% at 1 yr







6.6% at 6 months

3.3% at 6 months

4.0% at 6 months

0% at 30 days



3.1% at 1 yr

Definite scaffold thrombosis

0% at 1 yr

0% at 1 yr

0.6% at 1 yr

0.8% at 1 yr

0% at 1 yr

0.3% at 30 days

3.2% at 6 months

0% at 6 months

1.7% at 6 months

0% at 30 days



1.3% at 1 yr

Acute definite ST

0% at 1 yr

0% at 1 yr

0.3% at 1 yr

0.0% at 1 yr

0% at 1 yr



0.0% at 6 months

0% at 6 months

1.2% (definite/probable ST) at 6 months

0% at 30 days



0% at 1 yr

0%

0%

0.3%

0.4%

0%



2.4%

0%

1.2% (definite/ probable ST)

0%



0%

Subacute definite ST Late definite ST MACE

0%

0%

0%

0.4%

0%



0.8%

0%

0.5%

0%



1.3%

3.4% at 5 yrs

9.9% at 3 yrs

5.0% at 1 yr

4.3% at 1 yr

5% at 1 yr





3.3% at 6 months

TLF: 4.4% at 6 months

4% at 30 days



5.3% at 1 yr

ACS ¼ acute coronary syndrome; BVS ¼ bioresorbable vascular scaffold; IVUS ¼ intravascular ultrasound; MACE ¼ major adverse cardiac events; PCI ¼ percutaneous coronary intervention; ST ¼ scaffold thrombosis; TLF ¼ target lesion failure; TLR ¼ target lesion revascularization; TVR ¼ target vessel revascularization. AUGUST 22, 2016:1652–63

JACC: CARDIOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS VOL. 9, NO. 16, 2016

94%

TLR

Device success

Felix et al.

N

ASSURE

ABSORB FIRST

Robaei et al. (23)

BVS EXTEND

Long-Term Outcomes of the BVS Expand Registry

T A B L E 8 Overview of BVS Registries

Felix et al.

JACC: CARDIOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS VOL. 9, NO. 16, 2016 AUGUST 22, 2016:1652–63

Long-Term Outcomes of the BVS Expand Registry

TLR rate of 4.0%, compared to 2.3% in patients who

Taking into account the complexity of the treated

did undergo baseline imaging (log-rank p ¼ 0.29).

lesions, the 1-year MACE rate of 5.1% observed in the

Intravascular imaging was performed more often in

current registry is low and in line with previous trials

patients who had a complex lesion (American Heart

using BVS in relatively simple lesions: 5% in the

Association classification type B2/C lesion): 44.5%

ABSORB II (A bioresorbable everolimus-eluting scaf-

versus 31.1% (p ¼ 0.03).

fold versus a metallic everolimus-eluting stent for

To examine the relationship between under-

ischaemic heart disease caused by de-novo native

expansion, sizing and MACE, a scatterplot of the pre-

coronary artery lesions) trial (7), 5.0% in the ASSURE

procedural sizing and post-procedural expansion

BVS (Beyond the early stages: insights from the

divided by nominal diameter was created on the basis

ASSURE registry on bioresorbable vascular scaffolds)

of QCA (Figure 4). When a cutoff value of MLD post-

registry (9), 4.3% in the BVS Extend (The ABSORB

procedure/nominal device diameter of <0.70 is

EXTEND study: preliminary report of the twelve-

applied, the scaffold was underexpanded in 26% of

month clinical outcomes in the first 512 patients

the lesions. Patients, in whom underexpansion

enrolled) trial (13). Recently, several European regis-

occurred, tended to have an increased rate of MACE:

tries reported on the 6-month clinical outcomes after

8.0% versus 3.8% (p ¼ 0.15, log-rank test).

implantation of BVS in all-comer settings (Table 8). In our registry, 6-month MACE rate was 4.7%, which is

DISCUSSION

comparable to the other registries.

To the best of our knowledge this is the first registry

potentially increased rate of ST after implantation of

Recently, some concerns were raised regarding a reporting on the extended follow-up beyond 1 year,

the Absorb BVS (10,14,15). Scaffold thrombosis in the

with a median follow-up duration of 622 days. The

case of metallic DES is an entity with complex

main findings of our study are that: 1) 12-month

multifactorial

MACE incidence for the per-treatment group was

probably applies to the case of BVS (16). The impor-

5.1%, mainly driven by rate of MI (approximately 70%

tance of patient selection, lesion preparation, pre-

due to target vessel MI), with a further flattening of

and post-dilation, and the consideration of invasive

Kaplan-Meier after 1 year (6.8% at 18 months); 2)

imaging for optimal device deployment have to be

pathomechanisms,

something

that

the rate of definite/probable ST at 1 year was 1.7%,

emphasized (17,18), whereas dual antiplatelet therapy

which is higher compared to second generation

continuation for at least 1 year is recommended. Pilot

metal DES (12); 3) patients with acute coronary syn-

imaging observations in real-world patients with BVS

drome did not have increased risk of MACE and

thrombosis suggest suboptimal implantation with

ST; and 4) underexpansion of the BVS was a rather

underexpansion,

frequent finding and there was a trend for an

lesion coverage, often in combination with dual an-

increased rate of MACE.

tiplatelet therapy discontinuation, to be the major

malapposition,

and

incomplete

The BVS Expand registry describes the procedural

substrate both for acute and late events (19).

and medium to long-term clinical outcomes of BVS in

Although it is not clear why this complication is

patients with native, de novo coronary artery dis-

observed in high incidence with BVS, a potential

ease. Other studies investigating clinical outcomes of

explanation could be the increased thickness of the

BVS were often characterized by small sample size

BVS struts, which can cause convective flow patterns,

and inclusion of patients with noncomplex lesions.

potentially triggering platelet deposition and subse-

In this single-center study we report event rates

quent thrombosis, especially in settings with subop-

in a more complex lesions including long lesions

timal flow conditions (20). For this reason, BVS with

(mean lesion length 22.10  13.90 mm), calcified and

thinner struts are currently being developed and an-

bifurcated lesions, with a relatively high proportion

imal studies are ongoing.

of American College of Cardiology/American Heart

Rate of definite ST in the AMC (Initial experience

Association type B2 or C lesions (38.1%). Further-

and clinical evaluation of the Absorb bioresorbable

more and different from other registries (10), all

vascular scaffold [BVS] in real-world practice: the

events were adjudicated by an independent clinical

AMC Single Centre Real World PCI Registry) registry

events committee and all angiograms were analyzed

was 3.0% at 6 months (14). However, in the latter

using QCA, creating a complete QCA database.

trial, STEMI patients were also included. The annual

Finally, in the present registry there were limited

rate of definite/probable ST in the GHOST-EU (Percu-

angiographic exclusion criteria that allowed a study

taneous coronary intervention with everolimus-

population that is more reflective of a real-world

eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffolds in routine

population.

clinical practice: early and midterm outcomes from the

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Felix et al.

JACC: CARDIOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS VOL. 9, NO. 16, 2016 AUGUST 22, 2016:1652–63

Long-Term Outcomes of the BVS Expand Registry

European multicentre GHOST-EU registry) trial was

(21,22). The difference for IVUS might be even larger

3.4% and 70% of the ST cases occurred in the first

compared to OCT, with an underestimation of

30 days. In our study, there were 3 cases of definite ST

approximately of QCA of 0.2 mm versus OCT and

(1.3%) within 1 year (Table 5, Online Appendix). In most

0.3 mm versus IVUS. Use of intravascular imaging

of these cases, suboptimal implantation in complex

might improve pre-procedural vessel sizing, whereas

lesions was the main finding, with also inadequate

a more liberal use of post-dilation has to be under-

dual antiplatelet therapy duration in 1 case. Notably

lined, with the aim of minimizing BVS under-

and in contrast to the other registries, no cases of acute

expansion and, eventually, improving the clinical

or subacute ST occurred. The lower rate of ST in the

outcome.

BVS Expand registry could presumably be due to the good procedural performance: usage of invasive

STUDY LIMITATIONS. This is a single-center, single-

imaging in almost 40% and pre-dilation in 89%. Unlike

arm registry with no direct comparison with metallic

the previously mentioned registries, STEMI patients

DES. The total number of patients in this study was

were excluded in our study. The enrolled patients

limited. Thus, these findings warrant further confir-

were all appropriately preloaded with P2Y12 in-

mation in a large-scale trial. Ongoing and upcoming

hibitors, which could attribute to the absence of acute

trials such as the ABSORB III, ABSORB IV, and the

and subacute ST, whereas this is not always the case in

Compare Absorb (ABSORB Bioresorbable Scaffold vs.

STEMI patients.

Xience Metallic Stent for Prevention of Restenosis in

In this study, the presence of with NSTEMI/

Patients at High Risk of Restenosis) will provide data

unstable angina was not associated with an additional

derived from larger patient cohorts and in direct

risk of MACE or ST. Theoretically, the lesions in

comparison to metallic DES.

patients with acute coronary syndrome are generally

Furthermore, deciding which patient or lesion was

lipid rich with or without thrombus, which hinder

suitable for BVS implantation could have led to se-

neither the deployment nor the expansion of the BVS.

lection bias. Almost 80% of the patients returned

Our analysis shows that underexpansion of BVS

their study informed consent and thus follow-up was

occurs frequently and had a nonsignificant associa-

only investigated in these patients. The event rate is

tion with an increased risk of MACE and probable/

unknown in the remaining patients.

definite ST. Compared to other BVS registries rate of post-dilation in our study is somewhat low (53.3%) and this could partly explain the frequent occur-

CONCLUSIONS

rence of underexpansion. This low post-dilation rate was an extension of the ABSORB-EXTEND

In our study, BVS implantation in a more complex

(The ABSORB EXTEND study: preliminary report of

patient and lesion subset was associated with an

the twelve-month clinical outcomes in the first

acceptable rate of adverse events at the longer term,

512 patients enrolled) and ABSORB II studies, where

comparable to rates reported with contemporary

post-dilation was discouraged as a reflex to a single

second-generation metallic DES, whereas no cases of

case where strut fractures were observed due to

early thrombosis were observed. This study supports

severe undersizing and post-dilation with an over-

a more extensive use of BVS and launch of random-

sized balloon beyond the expansion limits of the

ized trials aiming to demonstrate superiority in the

scaffold. This is a different situation compared

longer term, when optimal implantation strategies

to underexpansion due to atherosclerotic disease

are used.

where struts are still apposed but the initial lesions

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors want to thank

are difficult to dilate. It is now clear that for

Isabella Kardys, Martijn Akkerhuis, and Johannes

underexpansion high-pressure post-dilation does not

Schaar for their contribution in the event adjudica-

result in strut fractures as long as noncompliant

tion. They also want to thank Nienke van Ditzhuijzen

post-dilation balloons are used within the maximum

and Saskia Wemelsfelder for their contribution to

expansion limit of the implanted device.

data management.

Nevertheless, the arbitrary definition of underexpansion we used for this manuscript was partly on

REPRINT REQUESTS AND CORRESPONDENCE: Dr.

the basis of QCA measurements, which are known to

Prof. Dr. Robert-Jan M. van Geuns, Thoraxcenter, Room

underestimate vessel dimensions when compared to

Ba585, Erasmus Medical Center, 0 s-Gravendijkwal 230,

invasive imaging methods such as IVUS and OCT,

3015 CE Rotterdam, the Netherlands. E-mail: r.vangeuns@

which is considered the standard at the moment

erasmusmc.nl.

Felix et al.

JACC: CARDIOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS VOL. 9, NO. 16, 2016 AUGUST 22, 2016:1652–63

Long-Term Outcomes of the BVS Expand Registry

PERSPECTIVES WHAT IS KNOWN? Multiple studies, mainly registries,

reasonable with a warning signal for scaffold thrombosis

have proven feasibility and safety of the Absorb BVS.

potentially linked to underexpansion.

However, data on medium- to long-term outcomes are limited and available only for simpler lesions.

WHAT IS NEXT? Large randomized controlled trials comparing BVS with metal DES in a more real-world pa-

WHAT IS NEW? At a median follow-up duration of 622

tient population with strict and dedicated BVS implanta-

days, MACE rate in a regular cath lab population was

tion strategies are coming up to establish the value of BVS in this setting.

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KEY WORDS Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold, BVS, coronary artery disease, follow-up, mid- to long-term, percutaneous coronary intervention A PP END IX For an expanded Discussion section, please see the online version of this article.

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